Hand operated washing machine

ABSTRACT

A hand operated washing machine includes a closure mechanism which automatically releases internal pressure, developed by agitation of soap or detergents, before the closure is removed.

United States Patent Rencher [541 HAND QPERATED WASHING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Joseph Lynn Rencher, 900 Harrison Avenue, Canon City, Colo. 81212 221 Filed: Oct.27, 1970 21] Appl.No.:84,360

[52] US. Cl ..-..68/144, 220/44 R, 259/90 [51] int. Cl. ..D06f 37/10 [58] Field of Search ....259/89, 90; 68/144, 145, 146,

[ 1 Oct. 24, 1972 [5 6] A References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,304,409 8/ 1962 France ..68/ 144 1,360,028 3/1964 France Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Attorney-Ralph L. Thomas and Thomas & Thomas 57] ABSTRACT A hand operated washing machine includes a closure mechanism which automatically releases internal pressure, developed by agitation of soap or detergents, before the closure is removed.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHBT 24 I9 3.699.786

sum 1 OF 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH L. RENCHER BY 720mm & 720mm ATTORNEYS PATENIED um 24 I972 SHEET 2 0F 2 U HAND OPERATED WASHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2. Undesirable pressure created in washing machines by the agitation of cleaning agents such as soap or detergent presents a problem. Various methods for releasing the pressure range from the simple hand actuated release valve in French Pat. No. 1,304,409 filed Oct. 24, 1961 to the more complex cam actuated release mechanism in US. Pat. No. 2,255,028. A pressure release tub arrangement is described in US. Pat. No. 1,833,437.

In some of the earlier hand operated washing machines the operator manually actuates the pressure relief valve to the open position thereby to reduce internal pressure before opening the washing machine. If an operator simply neglects to actuate the pressure release valve before the cover is removed, the internal pressuremay be released so suddenly that hot vapors and water with soap or detergent cleaning agents are expelled thereby possibly injuring the operator or damaging his clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an efficient pressure release mechanisms with the closure for hand operated washing machines which automatically eliminates the hazard of escaping water or vapor when the washing machine is opened. If an operator removes the lid, he necessarily actuates the pressure release mechanism as the first step of a two step process in removing the lid. The second step involves removing the cover thereby to open the washing machine. The pressure release mechanism is very simple in operation and in no way interferes with the washing of clothes because no part of it protrudes into the washing chamber.

It is a feature of this invention to provide an improved washing machine which is easy to operate and safe to use.

It is another feature of this invention to provide an improved washing machine which incorporates a pressure release mechanism with the closure for automatically reducing the internal pressure before the washing machine is opened.

It is a further feature of this invention to provide an improved washing machine having an integrated pressure release mechanism and closure which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to operate.

In one arrangement according to this invention the hand operated washing machine includes a tub with a lid or closure, and the closure includes a handle which is operated to secure the cover in position and then seal the tub. The tub is rotated by hand to wash the clothes. When the washing operation is finished, the handle again is operated first to release the internal pressure and second to remove the lid from the tub. The removal of the lid is accomplished without permitting the rapid escape of vapors or water or a combination of vapor and water which might otherwise spill from the tub were the pressure not released before hand.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, exploded in part, of a hand operated washing machine according to this invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the closure and pressure release mechanism according to this invention showing the respective open and closed positions of the closure mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a washing tub 1 comprising two hemispheres 4 and 5 made of plastic or a light metal such as aluminum. The hemispheres 4 and 5 are joined by a circular hoop 6. The hoop 6 is attached to a crank 3 which is used to rotate the tub I. In operation 60 to rotations of the tub are sufficient to wash a load of clothes. The hemispheres 4 and 5 have at their inside edges a flange 8 which extends a short distance into the interior of the tub I and serves as a tumbler to agitate the materials being washed.

A neck 9 forms a circular opening in the tub through which clothes pass when placed in or removed from the machine. An outer cover 15 is adapted to fit over the neck 9. A circular sealing surface 14 is formedin the outer cover, and it has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the neck 9. Lips 12 are formed on the inside of the outer cover 15 by a cutting and crimping operation. These lips are designed to engage flanges 11 which are formed in a collar 13. The collar 13 is rigidly attached to the neck 9. However, the flanges 11 are formed by cutting away a portion of the collar and bending the flanges away from the neck 9. This may be done by a stamping operation before the collar is attached to the neck.

An inner cover or piston 16 is an important component of the pressure release mechanism. The inner cover or piston 16 is hollow, and it is shaped in the manner shown in FIG. 1. A skirt or flange 17 is tapered so that its diameter increases in the direction toward the center of the wash tub I. The maximum diameter of the skirt or flange 17 is slightly less than the diameter of the neck 9 so that the inner cover or piston 16 may travel in the cylinder formed by the neck 9.

A flexible sealing ring 18 which may be made of rubber is carried on the skirt or flange 17 of the piston or inner cover 16. The inside diameter of the sealing ring 18 is slightly less than the smallest diameter of the inner cover or piston 16 in order to keep the sealing ring 18 on the piston 16. The outer diameter of the sealing ring 18 is slightly less than the diameter of the neck 9.

A connecting pin 19 passes through holes in the center of the piston or inner cover and the outer cover 15. The head 21 of the connecting pin 19 is larger than the hole in the inner cover or piston 16. At the exterior side of the outer cover 15 the connecting pin is joined to a locking lever 25. A cam 26 is afiixed to the end of the locking lever 25. A rivet 27 passes through the cam 26 in an ofiset position, and the rivet also passes through a hole in the connecting pin 19. Thus when the locking lever 25 is moved from the open or unlocked position as shown in FIG. 2 to the closed or locked position of FIG. 3 the connecting pin 19 is drawn toward the exterior side of the outer cover 15. The tapered skirt or flange 17 forces the flexible sealing ring 18 to engage the sealing surface 14 of the outer cover 15, the neck 9 and the inner cover or piston 16.

When the locking lever 25 is moved from the closed or locked position of FIG. 3 to the open or unlocked position of FIG. 2, the release spring expands and drives the piston or inner cover 16 toward the center of the wash tub 1. The sealing ring 18 disengages the sealing surface 14 and the neck 9, and any gasses in the wash tub 1 then pass around the sealing ring 18 and escape through holes or vents 30 in the outer cover 15.

The outer cover 15 is removed from the neck 9 so that the washed materials may be removed. The outer cover 15 is twisted in a counter clockwise direction to disengage the lips 12 in the outer cover 15 from the flanges 11 on the collar 13 which is secured to the neck 9. To facilitate this twisting motion, a stud 31 is attached to the outer cover 15 in such a manner as to engage the locking lever as is shown in FIG. 2. The locking lever 25 is pressed against the stud 31 thereby to twist or rotate the outer cover 15.

Vent is simply a small hole in the outer cover 15. A diameter of one-eighth inch is sufficient for a tub 1 which is 12 inches in diameter. Several such vent holes may be provided in the outer cover 15 if desired.

When a load of clothes are to be washed, the outer cover 15 is removed by rotating it in a counterclockwise direction, and this rotation may be obtained by rotating the outer cover 15 by hand or by pressing down on the locking lever 25 and rotating it in a counterclockwise direction to engage the stud 31 and force the outer cover 15 in the counterclockwise direction. This causes the lips 12 to disengage the flanges 11. The outer cover 15 is then lifted away from the tub 1. Clothes may be inserted through the open neck 9 and placed in the tub. Afterwards water and soap or detergent are added. The outer cover 15 is placed on the open neck 9, and the locking lever 25 is pressed down on the outer cover 15 and rotated in the clockwise direction. This causes the locking lever 25 to engage the stud 31 and twist or rotate the outer cover 15 in the clockwise direction until the lips 12 engage the flanges ll securely. During this operation the pin 19 projects downwardly inside of the outer cover 15 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Next the locking lever 25 is rotated l80 in a vertical plane from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3. This rotation causes the cam 26 to bear against the upper surface of the outer cover 15 and move the pin 19 upwardly as shown in FIG. 3, and consequently the piston 16 moves upwardly and compresses the sealing ring 18 into engagement with the sealing surface 14, the neck 9, and the skirt or flange 17 as shown in FIG. 3. This produces a watertight connection between the outer cover 15 and the tub 1.

The clothes are washed by rotating the crank 3 which in turn rotates the tub 1. The clothes tumble around inside of the tub 1, and the flange 8, shown in FIG. 1, increases the mixing action of the soap and water with the clothes. The flange 8 insures a tumbling action of the clothes. The crank 3 is rotated or turns to completely wash one load of clothes. The agitation of soap or detergent in the closed tub 1 results in a pressure buildup. It is afeature of this invention to release this pressure before opening the tub 1, and this operation is described next.

When the washing operation is finished, the locking lever 25 is rotated in a vertical plane, and it changes from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2. The cam 26 changes the position of the pin 19 from that shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 2. This releases the piston 16 which travels downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2. Pressure build up within the tub 1 causes an expulsion of air which travels around the sealing ring 18 and out through the opening 30 as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 2. This pressure release takes place automatically when the locking lever 25 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2. Next the locking lever 25 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to engage the stud 31 and twist or rotate the outer cover 15 in the counterclockwise direction, and this causes the lips 12 to disengage the flanges 11. The outer cover 15 may then be lifted vertically from the tub I. The clothes are removed from the tub I and rinsed in another container of fresh water. Alternatively, the soapy water in the tub 1 may be poured out and replaced by fresh water while the washed clothes remain in the tub I. The outer cover 15 may be placed on the neck 9 and secured in position, in the manner explained above, for a rinsing operation. The handle 3 is turned to rotate the tub 1, and the tumbling action of the clothes in the fresh water causes soap or detergent to be removed from the clothes.

After the rinsing operation is finished, the outer cover 15 is removed, in the manner explained above, and the clothes may be removed, wrung out, and hung to dry. The rinse water may be poured from the tub I by turning the handle 3, and the cover 15 may be placed again on the neck 9 and secured in position by rotating in a clockwise direction until the lips 12 engage the flanges 11. The outer cover 15 assumes the position shown in FIG. 2, and the interior of the tub 1 is vented through the hole 30 thereby to dry the interior of the tub 1 and prevent odors.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand operated washing machine comprising:

a spherical tub having a circular neck forming an opening therein,

a stand connected to said tub for supporting said tub,

a crank connected to said tub for rotating said tub,

an outer cover having at least one vent hole,

means attached to said outer cover for securing said outer cover to said spherical tub,

a sealing ring disposed in said outer cover,

said outer cover including hand operating means which forces said sealing ring into watertight engagement between said outer cover and said tub,

said outer cover having a circular sealing surface formed therein with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the circular neck of said tub,

said outer cover including a piston having a skirt,

a pin having a head, a cam, a locking lever, said piston and said outer cover having aligned holes, said pin extending through said aligned holes with the head engaging said piston and with the other end of said pin secured to said cam, said locking lever being attached to said cam, a spring disposed around said pin, said spring being located between said outer cover and said piston, 7

whereby said locking lever may be operated to a first position to change the location of said pin to cause the skirt of said piston to force the sealing ring into watertight engagement with the neck and the sealing surface of the outer cover, and said locking lever may be operated to a second position to change the location of said pin thereby to release the sealing ring from watertight engagement with said neck and sealing surface of the outer cover.

2. A washing machine including:

a tub with a circular neck, an outer cover, means on said outer cover for connecting said outer cover to said tub,

a piston attached to said outer cover, said piston hav ing a tapered skirt, a flexible sealing ring disposed on said tapered skirt, a connecting pin securing said piston to a locking lever located on the exterior of said outer cover, said piston being movable within said cylinder in response to movement of said locking lever,

a sealing surface formed in said outer cover,

said locking lever being operated to a first position whereby said piston causes said sealing ring to engage said sealing surface, said neck and said tapered skirt of said piston, and said locking lever being operated to a second position whereby said piston causes said sealing ring to disengage said neck and said sealing surface.

3. A hand operated washing machine comprising:

a spherical tub with a neck forming a circular opening therein,

a stand for supporting said tub, and a crank attached to said tub for rotating said tub,

an outer cover containing at least one hole which serves as a vent,

means on said outer cover for attaching said outer cover to said neck,

a sealing surface formed in said outer cover having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said neck,

a piston having a skirt,

a flexible sealing ring, said flexible sealing ring having an outer diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of said neck, said sealing ring being disposed on the skirt of said piston,

a pin, a locking lever having a cam attached thereto, said pin connecting the piston to the cam of said locking lever, said locking lever being operated to one position whereby said piston forces said flexible sealing ring into engagement with the neck and the sealing surface of the outer cover, and said locking lever being operated to another position whereby the sealing ring disengages the neck and the sealing surface of the outer cover. 

1. A hand operated washing machine comprising: a spherical tub having a circular neck forming an opening therein, a stand connected to said tub for supporting said tub, a crank connected to said tub for rotating said tub, an outer cover having at least one vent hole, means attached to said outer cover for securing said outer cover to said spherical tub, a sealing ring disposed in said outer cover, said outer cover including hand operating means which forces said sealing ring into watertight engagement between said outer cover and said tub, said outer cover having a circular sealing surface formed therein with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the circular neck of said tub, said outer cover including a piston having a skirt, a pin having a head, a cam, a locking lever, said piston and said outer cover having aligned holes, said pin extending through said aligned holes with the head engaging said piston and with the other end of said pin secured to said cam, said locking lever being attached to said cam, a spring disposed around said pin, said spring being located between said outer cover and said piston, whereby said locking lever may be operated to a first position to change the location of said pin to cause the skirt of said piston to force the sealing ring into watertight engagement with the neck and the sealing surface of the outer cover, and said locking lever may be operated to a second position to change the location of said pin thereby to release the sealing ring from watertight engagement with said neck and sealing surface of the outer cover.
 2. A washing machine including: a tub with a circular neck, an outer cover, means on said outer cover for connecting said outer cover to said tub, a piston attached to said outer cover, said piston having a tapered skirt, a flexible sealing ring disposed on said tapered skirt, a connecting pin securing said piston to a locking lever located on the exterior of said outer cover, said piston being movable within said cylinder in response to movement of said locking lever, a sealing surface formed in said outer cover, said locking lever being operated to a first position whereby said piston causes said sealing ring to engage said sealing surface, said neck and said tapered skirt of said piston, and said locking lever being operated to a second position whereby said piston causes said sealing ring to disengage said neck and said sealing surface.
 3. A hand operated washing machine comprising: a spherical tub with a neck forming a circular opening therein, a stand for supporting said tub, and a crank attached to said tub for rotating said tub, an outer cover containing at least one hole which serves as a vent, means on said outer cover for attaChing said outer cover to said neck, a sealing surface formed in said outer cover having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said neck, a piston having a skirt, a flexible sealing ring, said flexible sealing ring having an outer diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of said neck, said sealing ring being disposed on the skirt of said piston, a pin, a locking lever having a cam attached thereto, said pin connecting the piston to the cam of said locking lever, said locking lever being operated to one position whereby said piston forces said flexible sealing ring into engagement with the neck and the sealing surface of the outer cover, and said locking lever being operated to another position whereby the sealing ring disengages the neck and the sealing surface of the outer cover. 